| 360training.com Bloghttps://www.360training.com/blog
Mon, 21 Jan 2019 18:13:53 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9Simple Fire Safety Preparation Tipshttps://www.360training.com/blog/simple-fire-safety-prep-tips/
https://www.360training.com/blog/simple-fire-safety-prep-tips/#respondMon, 21 Jan 2019 18:13:53 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26992Fires are not something to play with. Many safety experts claim that in the event of a house fire, most homeowners have less than two minutes to escape before suffering serious health consequences. From smoke inhalation to severe burning, not knowing how to respond to fires could lead to long-lasting, life threatening health issues. Understanding [&hellip

]]>Fires are not something to play with. Many safety experts claim that in the event of a house fire, most homeowners have less than two minutes to escape before suffering serious health consequences. From smoke inhalation to severe burning, not knowing how to respond to fires could lead to long-lasting, life threatening health issues.

Understanding a few basic best practices, home safety tips, and fire safety resources can save your life, and the lives of those around you. Something as simple as replacing the batteries in your smoke detector can, and the local fire department, to potential fire inside your home.

Let’s take a look at some simple things you can do to best prepare yourself and your home from irreversible damage.

Understand Basic Best Practices.

While you likely know that leaving candles burning overnight is a fire hazard, you might not be aware that keeping certain devices plugged in throughout the day can also pose a problem. You may not have any idea what lies behind the walls. Knowing some basic best practices when it comes to appliances and electronics around your house can save you from being a victim of an electrical fire.

Here are some things you should practice in your home:

Don’t leave appliances charging unsupervised for extended periods of time

Only use official/original chargers and electrical cables

Don’t charge batteries that may appear faulty or damaged

Don’t cover items while they’re being charged

Don’t overload extension cables with multiple appliances

Keep microwaves, coffee machines, toasters, and other heat appliances unplugged while not in use.

Following these simple steps significantly reduce the risk of a house fire.

Schedule a Consultation.

When it comes to fire safety, no one knows more than the experts. There are professionals around the country that specialize in preventing house fires, educating homeowners on how to prevent and respond to these fires if they were to arise.

By scheduling a consultation, you’ll have a subject matter expert survey your home, walk around the property, and pin point all potential threats. If they notice something out of place, or something that can potentially cause harm, they’ll carefully explain the issue, why it’s a hazard, and provide tips on how to correct it. If you’re concerned about a fire arising in your home, this should definitely be an option to look into.

Have a Plan.

If you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires or just want to be on the safe side if a fire were to start in your home, it’s crucial to sit down with your family or roommates and make a plan. In the event of a house fire, every second counts, so knowing what everyone’s role is can save you precious time.

You might think that everyone will instinctively know where to go in the event that a fire breaks out, but when emergencies happen, many people panic. Even the most level-headed individual whom you know might become overwhelmed during a fire. With a plan in place, there’s less confusion, less chaos, and more control. Making everyone in the house aware of an exit strategy can help ensure that everyone makes it out the house safely, even if it means leaving valuable items behind.

Pay Attention to the News.

This one may not apply to everyone, but being aware of the news and paying attention to possible wildfires is extremely important for those that live in dry, hot regions. States like California, Nevada, Texas, and Arizona are the most at risk when it comes to wildfires.

If there’s a wildfire in your state and the local government is issuing an evacuation warning, it’s crucial to take those comments seriously. Too often, families try and call Mother Nature’s bluff and try and ride out the dangerous conditions from their home. This not only puts your life at risk, but also the lives of the first responders that are responsible for saving those trapped by fire. Keeping an eye on the news and listening out for important safety messages is crucial for those that live in states notorious for wildfires.

Get Trained.

In the end of the day, nothing is more powerful when preparing for a fire than your own knowledge. Taking time to invest in courses that can teach you the potential causes of house fires, and how to handle hazardous situations is invaluable. Around the country, more individuals are starting to invest in online courses that teach them basic safety skills to better prepare themselves in the case of an emergency.

360training.com is a leading eLearning marketplace that provides in-depth, comprehensive safety training in a wide variety of topics. These courses were created by safety experts, and are presented using the latest in EdTech design. For more information on our Fire Safety Preparedness courses, visit this link here.

]]>https://www.360training.com/blog/simple-fire-safety-prep-tips/feed/0How to Handle Food Recalls in Your Restauranthttps://www.360training.com/blog/handle-food-recalls-restaurant/
https://www.360training.com/blog/handle-food-recalls-restaurant/#respondMon, 14 Jan 2019 21:41:05 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26988A recall is by far one of the most devastating things that can happen to any brand in the food industry. On top of the negative image that could haunt the business, restaurants may also face steep sanctions and penalties from the government. Fortunately, they can take several proactive measures such as implementing food safety initiatives [&hellip

]]>A recall is by far one of the most devastating things that can happen to any brand in the food industry. On top of the negative image that could haunt the business, restaurants may also face steep sanctions and penalties from the government. Fortunately, they can take several proactive measures such as implementing food safety initiatives in order to maintain quality and safety in the production process.

Adopting a technology-based solution such as a quality management system (QMS) would help streamline the process for all of those that are involved in preparation, production, and distribution of food. Whether you’re making a food safety plan for the first time or are trying to improve on what you already have, here important reminders that will help you better handle food recalls.

Establish a Plan

Restaurants with multiple locations can use software and apps to communicate pertinent recall information in real-time and provide detailed information within the supply chain. Once you’ve been informed about the recall, understand the reasoning for the issuance. Recalls are classified into three groups, and USDA lists them as such:

Class I: A health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that eating the food will cause serious, adverse health consequences, or death. Examples include E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef, salmonella in peanut butter, or food with an undeclared allergen.

Class II: A health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from eating the food. Examples include products containing a foreign material.

Class III: A situation where eating the food will not cause adverse health consequences. Examples include minor labeling problems, such as improper format or undeclared ingredients that are not allergens.

It’s on the restaurant to ensure that the staff have all been trained to handle a recall. They may need different levels of training depending on their responsibilities, so it’s important to double check on that beforehand or to give your local regulator a call to verify. In some cases, the staff may be asked to communicate with the customers, which is why it’s important for them to know the key details about the recall as well as the action plan that they must execute in accordance with that incident.

In general, the restaurant staff must know how to:

Identify all recalled products.

Remove the items from inventory, and place them in a secure and appropriate location.

Label the items in a way that will prevent them from being placed back in inventory.

Inform staff not to use those products.

Refer to the vendor’s notification or recall notice to isolate or dispose of these products

If you’re looking to train the members of your team, you have an option to enroll them to a local training center or to an accredited online training provider. Assuming that both training partners are already approved by local regulators, you’re free to choose on what type of training would suit your staff better.

Just keep in mind that online training will allow you and your staff more flexibility. On top of that, it’s proven more cost-efficient for restaurants that need to enroll several individuals to the program.

Sanitize the Kitchen

Part of the standard operation procedure for restaurants affected by a recall is sanitizing. While sanitizing itself is part of the regular routine, doing it after recall will require a more calculated and thorough approach from the staff. You must also prepare to extend sanitation outside of the kitchen, especially when authorities or distributors failed to communicate the recall right away. More importantly, the staff must also use exercise the safety measures that they learned from training in order to protect themselves from contamination.

Store Food Safely

Following a recall, remove the affected items from your inventory and place them in a secure and proper location, away from any food, utensils, equipment, linens, or single-use items you are planning to use.

In addition, make sure to wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store potentially contaminated products. For the staff, it’s imperative that they follow the basic procedures of washing their hands with soap and hot water following the cleaning and sanitation process.

Discard Expired Items

First and foremost, inform staff members not to use the affected products. Establish a communications plan that employees can use to explain to customers how the restaurant responded to the outbreak and is addressing the problem. This adds credibility to your place and makes it evident that you know what you’re doing as a business

When isolating or disposing of the products,refer to the vendor’s notification or recall notice. This is critical because product reimbursement often only occurs if you take the required actions provided by the vendor.

Stay Informed

While distributors are expected notify restaurants and resellers about recalls right away, communication may be delayed for reasons that are out of your control. When this happens, things can go from bad to worse in a hurry. As such, Foodsafety.gov provides the latest information and updates (via email) on any foods recalls in the US for those who have signed up. In addition, they also send out content with invaluable information from the FDA, the Food and Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) arm of the USDA, the CDC, and HHS.

]]>https://www.360training.com/blog/handle-food-recalls-restaurant/feed/0Contracts Every Real Estate Agent Should Knowhttps://www.360training.com/blog/contracts-every-real-estate-agent-know/
https://www.360training.com/blog/contracts-every-real-estate-agent-know/#respondTue, 08 Jan 2019 18:22:05 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26976Real estate agents are faced with countless contracts throughout the course of their career. However, while many of these legally-binding documents are practically a ‘standard’ in most real estate transactions, there are also some which are only needed under special circumstances or upon request. Understanding each line of every contract that real estate agents encounter [&hellip

]]>Real estate agents are faced with countless contracts throughout the course of their career. However, while many of these legally-binding documents are practically a ‘standard’ in most real estate transactions, there are also some which are only needed under special circumstances or upon request.

Understanding each line of every contract that real estate agents encounter can be overwhelming, even for realtors who have been in the trade for a while. Thus, it’s a norm for agents to hire or work alongside a lawyer who can quickly translate and validate contracts that require extra attention.

Even then, it’s still important to familiarize yourself with contracts that could come up anytime during negotiation. This way, you can easily lead clients to a smoother transaction and build your reputation as a bona fide real estate expert in your area. With that being said, check out these common real estate contracts and what they mean for you and your clients:

Purchase Agreement or Sale Contract

A sales contract is needed when a buyer has finally decided to make an offer. In this type of agreement, the seller indicates essential details of the purchase, including:

Identification of the parties

A description of the property

The essential details, rights, and obligations of the contract

Any contingencies or conditions that must be met before the sale can go through

The condition of property

What fixtures and appliances are included and what is not included

The amount of the deposit

Itemized closing costs and who is responsible for paying for each of them

The prospective date of closing

The signatures of each party

Terms of possession

The sale contract is the most common type of real estate agreement and will usually specify the details regarding the purchase of the property. The contract strictly needs the approval and signature of both the buyer and seller.

Exclusive Contracts

When the buyer and seller have separate realtors representing them, they will have to sign an exclusive contract with their respective agents. When signing, the seller is given a contract typically referred to as an Exclusive Right to Sell Contract, which gives the agent exclusive rights to list and sell the property.

A buyer, on the other hand, signs what is often called an Exclusive Buyer Agency Contract, which binds the client to exclusively use the signed agent to purchase a home.

Financing Addendum

There are cases when the buyer must first complete a Financing Addendum. By attaching an addendum to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the home buyer is making it known that they are obtaining a loan/third-party financing to purchase the property.

The addendum provides the buyer the ability to terminate the contract if they can provide a written notice to the seller that they cannot obtain credit approval within the time specified in the addendum.

On the other hand, the addendum may also cancel any previous agreement when the buyer changes the type of loan or changes their lender without the seller’s prior written consent, after the agreed upon time to apply for financing expires

Lead-based Paint

Federal law requires sellers to complete a Lead-Based Paint Disclosure contract for homes that were built prior to 1978. This contract allows the potential buyers and renters to receive certain information about lead and lead hazards in the residence prior to becoming obligated to buy or rent the property.

Summing up

A sound and reputable agent should know which contracts are necessary during the different stages of the sale, as well as the capacity in which each of them are needed under certain scenarios.

Terms and conditions also vary per location, which is why you must take your state’s real estate continuing education promptly or when important updates come in. Just remember, you don’t have to wait until you’re license expires, you can stay in the loop fast and easy with our comprehensive, on-demand real estate online courses.

]]>https://www.360training.com/blog/contracts-every-real-estate-agent-know/feed/0Internet Best Practices for Real Estate Agentshttps://www.360training.com/blog/internet-best-practices-real-estate-agents/
https://www.360training.com/blog/internet-best-practices-real-estate-agents/#respondFri, 04 Jan 2019 21:59:25 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26974In a lot of ways, technology has been at the forefront in transforming the ‘landscape’ of the real estate industry over the past few years. If you recall the days prior to the virtual tours, card-less transactions, and online listings, it’ll be hard to look past how much the business has benefited from the improved [&hellip

]]>In a lot of ways, technology has been at the forefront in transforming the ‘landscape’ of the real estate industry over the past few years. If you recall the days prior to the virtual tours, card-less transactions, and online listings, it’ll be hard to look past how much the business has benefited from the improved efficiency that has come with digital media.

As online advertising innovator, Lucas Donat, said, “The internet affords businesses a level of relationship with consumers that’s previously unfathomable. With the right strategy and even just the basic online tools, you can access a wider range of prospects without investing a hefty amount of your time and resources.” Like many other industries, the shift towards digital has empowered real estate agents to do more with less.

While the internet has opened up a lot of doors for realtors, not all agents take advantage of these new opportunities. In this blog, we’ll go over some internet best practices for real estate agents.

Taking Advantage of Internet Marketing

Imagine what top-performing professionals can do once they bring their business online. The possibility to not just earn more, but also turn their brand into a full-blown business is right there for the taking.

With social media, blogging, YouTube, and other mediums becoming increasingly popular, realtors have more chances than ever to tell their story and promote their services. Agents can utilize paid and organic communications to reach audiences that they’ve never been able to reach before. Today’s agents can even geo-target individuals based on the areas in which they want to do business.

Here are a few innovative ways to utilize the latest in digital marketing for real estate agents in today’s climate:

Run Facebook ads for your listings to audiences in the surrounding areas.

Upload video walkthroughs of homes to your social channels

Write blogs about how to buy and sell homes in specific regions

Engage with people on social to stay top of mind

Regardless of where you’re coming from as a real estate agent, going online is the way to go if you want to push your career forward. With that being said, we summed up a few internet best practices that will help you build a killer online marketing strategy.

Build Your Email Prospects and Buyers List

You may not turn a prospect into a house buyer overnight, but if you can somehow secure their contact details, you’re giving yourself a chance to make an impression as a real estate expert over several weeks or months (or even years) through structured email campaigns. Email can also be an effective tool for open house invitations, offering useful tips to people in transition, and monthly or quarterly market updates.

Simple touches over extended periods of time don’t take much effort, but can help you stay in front of potential clients as they prepare for their next home search. Furthermore, having a rich email list with good newsletter content should also help you establish yourself as an authority in your local market.

Build a Personal Website

The initial investment you’ll make to purchase a domain and build a website can equate to hundreds, if not thousands, of leads for years to come. Since the typical property search now begins online, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be in the mix with a professional website.

While social media and online listings are great venues to begin your campaign, a website adds credibility and allows you to customize your listings to make them more appealing and unique.

Just be sure to proactively participate in the design process of your site. Take note that prospective houses are inherently visual and must be seen in their best light to attract viewers. Therefore, the design must be fluid, and your images and texts must be responsive in both desktop computers and phones.

Have Social Media Presence

Despite coming off a pretty challenging year, Facebook is still looking like the go-to-social media platform for real estate agents . Organic campaigns, which are simply promotions without paid ads, has took a significant hit in each of the last few updates, but even then, it’s hard to ignore that the social networking giant still has a little over 2 billion users that all niche can take advantage of.

On the other side of the spectrum is LinkedIn, which is best for building your professional network. It’s a perfect platform to launch yourself as a subject-matter expert as well. In fact, more agents are using LinkedIn to showcase their successes, posting to their following when they close deals. This helps strengthen their credibility in the professional world.

In addition, you should also try your hand in Twitter and Instagram if you want to put an extra emphasis on your visual campaigns and promotions. Moreover, Instagram is very user-friendly. Coupled with the fact that it’s mainly accessed on mobile devices, you can understand why it leads to higher levels of engagement — increasing views, strengthening branding, and if targeted well, generating leads.

Keep Track of Your Metrics

Measuring the success of your campaigns is key to maximizing your success online moving forward. You might find yourself overwhelmed at first, but you’re probably well aware that all numbers do lead to the all-important conversion.

Bear in mind that you must consistently identify and track your online engagement metrics to better understand which strategies are worked and which should be replaced or tweaked. There are also factors like engagement, followers, and shares where you will find small wins that can also be leveraged when running your next campaign.

Need More Help?

Looking for more help taking advantage of various digital tools in the context of real estate? 360training.com offers real estate continuing education courses that help agents renew their license and stay updated on the latest best practices across a variety of different topics, platforms, and channels. Find out more below.

]]>https://www.360training.com/blog/internet-best-practices-real-estate-agents/feed/0What is a DOL Card? Understanding its Importancehttps://www.360training.com/blog/what-is-dol-card/
https://www.360training.com/blog/what-is-dol-card/#respondWed, 02 Jan 2019 18:05:44 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26880A DOL card, also commonly referred to as an OSHA Card or Completion Card, is an official card that The United States Department of Labor (DOL) issues to those who have completed an authorized OSHA Outreach Training Program. Historically, OSHA Outreach Training has primarily been voluntary, with some employers recommending their staff complete the various courses. However, nowadays [&hellip

]]>A DOL card, also commonly referred to as an OSHA Card or Completion Card, is an official card that The United States Department of Labor (DOL) issues to those who have completed an authorized OSHA Outreach Training Program. Historically, OSHA Outreach Training has primarily been voluntary, with some employers recommending their staff complete the various courses. However, nowadays there are several states that have OSHA Outreach Training as a requirement for construction and general industry professionals.

If you need to take OSHA training as a job requirement, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll be required to carry your DOL card with you while on the job site. Recently the U.S Department of Labor has given the card a big facelift, and has made it much more durable and secure. In fact, 360training.com recently became the first and only online training provider to offer the new card to students!

But we’ll get into that new card later. For now, here’s what you need to know if you’re looking to get your DOL wallet card soon.

Getting a DOL/OSHA Card

DOL card applicants can take their training with any authorized OSHA outreach training provider. Many students are electing to complete their training online for the convenience and cost effectiveness.

The training provider will then coordinate with DOL to process the card which can take up to eight weeks. For the meantime, a certificate of completion will be provided to you, which will remain valid until the official DOL card has been delivered.

Students typically have the choice of 10 or 30 hour training programs. The training they ultimately decide will depend on their role, their employer’s requirements, and their future goals. Generally, the training is broken down as follows:

10-hour course for entry level employees

30-hour course for managers.

You might be wondering, “Do people have to be employed to qualify for the training?” The quick answer is no. Although the Outreach Training Program requirements refer to workers as the target, participants of Outreach Training Program classes are not required to be employed. You can take the course and pass the test anytime to get ready for what’s up ahead.

As previously mentioned, another popular aspect of today’s outreach training programs is that students can choose to take their entire outreach training online at their own pace and preferred environment. Of course, this comes under the condition that students will still meet the total number of education hours required and pass the associated exam with a grade of 70% or higher.

In general, the online course offers a world of convenience to those who are having a hard time managing their schedule for in-person, classroom-based training sessions. If technology offers a more favorable process or solution, why not use it?

The Benefits of the ‘New’ Plastic DOL Cards

Back in February of 2016, the DOL began their transition away from paper completion cards and towards stronger, more durable plastic cards. This change is largely due to the fact that many employers now require their workers to carry their card with them while on the job, and it was clear that the paper cards were being easily ripped, lost, and left behind.

The DOL decided to roll out plastic cards that resemble a credit card in look and feel. These cards are much easier to carry and can withstand much more of the wear and tear that comes with constant handling.

Unfortunately, this change in material was not immediately accessible to online training providers, who, until recently, continued to administer paper-based completion cards to students. This has since changed.

360training.com recently became one of the few online providers of OSHA outreach training to offer students the new, durable, plastic DOL completion card in place of the traditional, flimsy, paper version.

New QR Code for Authentication and Tracking

Beyond its new look and material, the improved wallet card will also have a QR (Quick Response) code on the card for fast authentication.

The QR code will allow employers and managers to easily verify employee course completion and authenticate that the card belongs to the person holding it. The QR code can be easily scanned with a smart phone and will provide a link to the card’s authorizing OSHA OTI Education Center for that employee.

In theory, it should also reduce fraudulent incidents that have forced OSHA’s hand to upgrade to a more secure card in the first place.

What to Expect From Your OSHA/DOL Card

The plastic completion, cards will feature the student’s name, trainer’s name, date of issue, and the OSHA Training Institute center from which the card was issued. Trainer cards will include name, identification number, expiration date, and the OTI center where the trainer was authorized. Which again according to OSHA should help eliminate fraud and also the need for replacement cards.

]]>https://www.360training.com/blog/what-is-dol-card/feed/0What is Real Estate Finance? Understand the Basicshttps://www.360training.com/blog/real-estate-finance/
https://www.360training.com/blog/real-estate-finance/#respondFri, 14 Dec 2018 19:56:40 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26865According to the Association of Real Estate License Law, or ARELLO, there is an estimated two million active real estate licenses in the United States. With so much competition in the industry today, realtors are under pressure to constantly strive to improve their understanding of real estate law, trends, and best practices. One of the [&hellip

]]>According to the Association of Real Estate License Law, or ARELLO, there is an estimated two million active real estate licenses in the United States. With so much competition in the industry today, realtors are under pressure to constantly strive to improve their understanding of real estate law, trends, and best practices.

One of the many areas of real estate that all agents must understand is finance. Homes are expensive, and the average homebuyer doesn’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash just stashed away in the bank. For real estate agents that are assisting homebuyers in purchasing property, it’s crucial for them, the experts of all things real estate, to understand the various types of loans that are available, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

While much of this knowledge will come with experience, practice, and patience, there are various online courses that can break down real estate finance on a very granular, understandable level. Follow along as we break down real estate finance, and discuss ways in which you can further your real estate education to break away from the growing industry competition and better serve your clients.

Defining Real Estate Finance

Real estate finance describes, explains, and encompasses the various methods in which individuals intend to purchase a home, plot of land, or other type of property. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of Americans require loans when purchasing a home. These loans, and the terms that come with them, are often overwhelming and confusing for homebuyers. For that reason, they’ll more than likely turn to their agent for help.

Many things come in to play when it comes to when applying for loans, such as credit reports, asset and income verification, appraisals, and titles. With that said, it’s extremely likely that each client you do business with will have a different situation to work through. For that reason, it’s advised that agents enroll in education courses that review these circumstances and provide agents with the expertise to better serve their clients.

What Does Real Estate Finance Education Look Like?

You may be curious as to what a real estate finance course looks like. Well, for starters, real estate finance is usually included in most continuing education training packages. These packages will also likely include courses that dive deep into contracts, property management, and sale agreements. For the purpose of this blog, however, we’ll just be focusing on real estate finance.

Real estate finance encompasses a lot of various components, which is no surprise given the large financial investment and commitment that’s required when buying property.

With real estate finance education, agents get a full scope of the steps that individuals need to take to buy a home. A typical real estate finance course will include the following general topics are more:

An introduction to loans

Basics of real estate financing

Calculating loan payments

Identifying qualifying incomes and ratios

Estimating property taxes

The goal of this real estate finance courses is to ensure that all agents that complete the training are more knowledgeable when it comes to the financial side of real estate. This is often an aspect of the industry that many shy away from due to its complexity. Agents that are experts in this field prove to be more helpful and effective when catering to their clients’ needs. Here are a few course objectives taken straight from the 360training Real Estate Finance course:

Understand the basic concepts and key terms of real estate financing and the key terms

Describe how to qualify a buyer for the most common types of loans

Understand the use and function of escrow accounts

Determine what a mortgage insurance premium is

Understand the process of underwriting its guidelines

Identify the three most common types of loans

Distinguish how to use conventional qualifying ratios

Describe VA eligibility and qualification periods

The Importance of Real Estate Continuing Education

Continuing Education, also known as CE, is essential for real estate agents to stay up to date on the latest law, policy, regulation, and best practice changes that impact their specific state. Since states are permitted to administer and oversee their own real estate commission, each state varies when it comes to CE requirements.

CE training packages also help agents expand on the knowledge that they learned throughout their prelicense training, and help clarify some confusing topics they may have encountered while practicing as an active real estate agent. In addition, some comprehensive CE programs also come with tips to help agents reach the next level, such as internet marketing strategy ideas.

For more information on 360training’s state-specific CE training packages that come included with a section on real estate finance, simply follow this link.

]]>https://www.360training.com/blog/real-estate-finance/feed/05 Traits of a Great Property Managerhttps://www.360training.com/blog/5-traits-of-a-great-property-manager/
https://www.360training.com/blog/5-traits-of-a-great-property-manager/#respondTue, 04 Dec 2018 18:20:21 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26822Property management is a great way to get involved in the real estate industry, and suits individuals who work well with others, are motivated, and are disciplined. With that said, it’s important to understand that the market is often subject to sudden shifts that could impact the earning potential of the properties you manage. On [&hellip

]]>Property management is a great way to get involved in the real estate industry, and suits individuals who work well with others, are motivated, and are disciplined. With that said, it’s important to understand that the market is often subject to sudden shifts that could impact the earning potential of the properties you manage. On the flip side, property management can be a strong career choice when things are going well.

Property managers are tasked with operating a property when the owner is unable or unwilling to do so. This can include anything from scheduling repairs, collecting rent, evicting tenants, maintaining the yard, and checking mail. The job can be exhausting, but gets easier over time once systems, processes, and relationships are put in place.

Not everyone can be a great property manager. If you slack off on the job, the owner will likely terminate your contract and find someone better fit. With that said, here are five traits that make a great property manager.

Responsible

As a property manager, you’ll be tasked with, among other things, dealing with tenants, collecting money, and reporting to the property owner. You need to understand how to manage properties the right way.

You must know the local, state, and federal real estate laws inside and out, especially if you’re managing multiple assets. It’s valuable to be familiar with each property you manage in order to answer any questions that may be asked of you.

Property managers are trusted figures in the world of real estate, and acting irresponsibly can jeopardize that trust. To be a great property manager, you must act professionally, and ensure you are using your time wisely to please all stakeholders.

Responsive

Being responsive is essential for any property manager that wants to be taken seriously. When issues arise, the best property managers get to work so that the issue does not become a long-standing problem. For example, if there’s a ceiling leak in one of the properties that a property manager is overseeing, leaving the problem for too long could be disastrous, leading to more expensive repairs down the road.

Being slow to respond doesn’t only reflect badly on you, but also the company you represent and your client. The faster you can respond to problems, the better.

Persistent

From hounding tenants for their late rent payments to following up with plumbers, electricians, painters, and other contractors, persistence is a key trait of any great property manager. Owners need to be confident that you will be successful in renting their property to a quality tenant. While tenants want the peace of mind that you’re working hard behind the scenes to make sure their experience as a renter is positive. This will likely lead them to either renew their lease or provide references for others in the market for housing.

Persistence goes a long way in the real estate industry, and is a trait that many realtors use to close deals with potential homebuyers. By showcasing this trait, you’ll easily work your way towards a successful career as a property manager.

Organized

Property management requires a lot of multitasking, with many of the tasks involving a lot paperwork, emails, and electronic documents. To ensure nothing slips between the tracks and that records are kept for future reference, property managers need to be organized.

Creating folders for specific documents, making spreadsheets to track numbers, and saving important emails are simple tactics to staying organized as a property manager. In many situations, you’ll be required to track down and pull specific information in a moment’s notice for clients, tenants, repair workers, and other stakeholders. Staying organized makes this task easy, and makes you look good in the process.

Communicative

Last, but certainly not least, property managers need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with all stakeholders. They must always have an open line of communication, so that they can be reached when disasters occur. If, for whatever reason, you are unavailable, it’s essential to provide those impacted with a notice and an alternate point of contact while you’re away.

Much like being responsive, be ready to answer queries as needed. If you want to really show your skills as a property manager, take the initiative and reach out to tenants and clients on a regular basis to make sure everyone is satisfied and on the same page.

Bonus: Keep Learning

The moment you pass your property management exam and receive your license to operate shouldn’t be a sign that you’re done with your personal development. Your success will always be closely defined by your knowledge of the market surrounding you.

If you’re considering specialization in real estate, you must know as early as now that it’s not all easy selling. A career in real estate can be very satisfying, but only if you have the knowledge and discipline to consistently improve and adapt to the highs and lows of the market.

]]>https://www.360training.com/blog/5-traits-of-a-great-property-manager/feed/0Top Real Estate Trends to Look Out For in 2019https://www.360training.com/blog/real-estate-trends-2019/
https://www.360training.com/blog/real-estate-trends-2019/#respondTue, 27 Nov 2018 18:01:59 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26779In any industry, predicting trends and preparing for changes in consumer habits is key to staying ahead. This can be done by analyzing historical data, staying on top of current events, and understanding basic consumer behavior. In real estate especially, looking ahead is crucial for agents looking to strategize a plan of attack for the [&hellip

]]>In any industry, predicting trends and preparing for changes in consumer habits is key to staying ahead. This can be done by analyzing historical data, staying on top of current events, and understanding basic consumer behavior.

In real estate especially, looking ahead is crucial for agents looking to strategize a plan of attack for the upcoming year. With so much competition, the sooner realtors prepare themselves for what’s to come, the better chance they have of better accommodating the needs of their prospective clients.

With that in mind, we’ll discuss a few of the major real estate trends to expect in 2019.

Understanding Real Estate Trends

Predicting the real estate market and everything that comes with it is not an easy task. Especially in today’s technological climate, where new business models and applications continue to disrupt entire industries left and right.

Understanding real estate trends can help today’s agents proactively adjust their approach and expose potential opportunities in the new year. With so many agents looking to capitalize on the growing homebuyer market, the ones that are fastest to adapt to industry demands will be most successful.

From millennial purchasing power to the increasing demand for smarter homes and greener solutions, here’s our list of the trends that could transform the real estate market in the new year.

Rising Trend of Downsizing

In a business enterprise, downsizing commonly refers to reducing the number of employees on payroll. However, in real estate, downsizing doesn’t carry the same negative connotation, and is commonly referred to as rightsizing.

It’s a movement that revolves around individuals looking for a simpler, less materialistic way of life. The point is to buy functional homes that meets the owners’ needs and satisfies their way of life, without any excess.

There are a lot of proven, effective ways to downsize, and there are even more ways why buyers might be compelled to do so in 2019. Here are some:

Less space, less stuff: We all know how tempting it is to fill a large room with all kinds of stuff. Having less space means owners are less likely to buy things they don’t need, putting more thought into what they bring home to decorate.

It can be more intimate: The less space a home has, the more intimate the environment feels. Individuals that are looking to downsize want a home that speaks to their personality.

Easier to design and organize: Less work leads to less stress. When designing a smaller home, the process is more manageable, the results are more tangible, and you can make headway much quicker.

More savings: Minimizing space means maximizing your wallet. Fewer square feet means less furniture, less unnecessary clutter, and more functional spaces that save money in the long run.

As a real estate agent, it’s going to be your job to make it easier for clients to downsize. There will likely be a bunch of queries coming your way, so it’s important to understand why in some cases having less is more. Remember, realtors aren’t just selling homes, the business is also about helping people as they navigate through life changes and very important decisions for their future.

Millennials Buying Homes

In report earlier this year by the Ellie Mae Millennial Tracker, 89% of mortgage loans made to millennial borrowers in July were for new home purchases. That’s up by a huge margin from the year prior. In addition, Inc. Magazine noted in 2017 that 66% of millennials plan to buy a home in the next 5 years. We’re entering the third year of that which means millennials have more purchasing power than ever.

According to top performing Denver realtor, Denise Fisher, one thing real estate agents must adapt to when catering to their millennial clients is dealing with two sets of buyers for the same home. She explained that while millennials are usually the ones to research and vet the property online, there’s a huge tendency that parents will eventually get involved in the buying process.

Real estate agents must also adapt to how these younger buyers are searching for homes. It’s time for agents to start really utilizing tools like social media and PPC campaigns to showcase the properties they offer. Understanding how today’s buyers are searching for information and making purchase decisions can help agents tremendously in 2019.

Little things like learning real estate photography to upload a quality photos to highlighting certain aspects and places within the community that may appeal to millennials will make world of difference when selling to these prospective buyers. If you haven’t done it already, it’s also best to also keep up with local trends and regulations through real estate continuing education. The caveat, of course, is that you can simply do this online too. Less hassle, more sales.

Technological Transformation in Real Estate

There will be an influx of buyers in 2019 who are looking to infuse the latest technology into their homes. Rapid urbanization along with population growth will propel the real estate industry as expected in the upcoming years.

But along with those, technology, especially in this digital era will play a bigger role in the industry. Technology has already transformed the process of home buying, as we’ve gone from reading print ads to using mobile apps in a matter of years. Now it’s expected to come in with a bigger influence in 2019’s housing trends.

Smart and automated home: While some technology is for entertainment purposes only, some innovations can redefine the way people live and manage their homes. Knowing how to sell these to prospects will help agents improve their portfolio and tap a new market of buyers.

Greener and healthier homes: Greener and smarter home ecosystems will be a hit for the increasingly environmentally-conscious generation. Owners would like such innovations integrated so they can enjoy efficient energy usage, cost savings, and futuristic design.

Digital sales and transaction: It’s not just the way properties are marketed, experts say that more transactions, including purchases are expected to be conducted much more often online in the years to come.

Knowing the Real Estate Trends for 2019

Millennials and the technology that comes with their generation has already made a huge impact on the real estate industry, and continue to change the way today’s agents operate. Gone are the days where buyers would go out of their way to see multiple properties themselves. There’s now a much simpler way to compare homes and the pressure is on the realtors to adapt.

In closing, it’s important for real estate professionals to not just simply follow the trend, they must spend quality time to understand why and how these changes take place. It is after all, part of a realtor’s sworn obligation to keep learning the trade and evolve along with the real estate industry.

]]>https://www.360training.com/blog/real-estate-trends-2019/feed/0How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Georgiahttps://www.360training.com/blog/how-to-become-real-estate-agent-in-georgia/
https://www.360training.com/blog/how-to-become-real-estate-agent-in-georgia/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 15:44:53 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26686Georgia is amongst the top-performing states in the US when it comes to real estate. Much of its success is driven by the Peach State’s high-performing economy, which has seen a decline in the unemployment rate over the years, alongside an average job growth of 1.5 percent. Georgia has been so successful, that the state [&hellip

Over a 3-year period, the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta metro area has experienced a population growth of 4.9%. This, coupled with the growing job market and workforce in the area, promises stable times ahead as far as the property industry in the state goes.

With the median value for a home standing at $157,800, and a consistent forecast of rising prices, it is one of the best times to be a real estate agent in the state. Therefore, if you would like to pursue a career as a real estate agent in the Georgian market, here is all you need to know.

Qualifications of RE Agents in Georgia

In order to qualify for a real estate agent’s license in Georgia, a few basic requirements need to be fulfilled. The first demands that all applicants be at least eighteen years of age, followed by an academic requirement that expects all potential applicants to have a high school diploma or GED (General Education Development) equivalent.

In addition to this, all candidates are required to pass a compulsory background check.

Fulfillment of these requirements will qualify you to sit for the State exams, passing which you can obtain your license. While you can also attempt the exam at 17 years of age, your license will not be valid till you turn 18.

If you successfully meet all these fundamental requirements, there are three different routes you can take as far as the state’s requirements for pre-licensing education are concerned. The first route is where you can take Georgia’s 75-hour real estate salesperson pre-licensing course from one of the real estate schools approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission that oversees such matters in the state.

Alternatively, if you have completed a real estate course as your major from an accredited university or college in the U.S. or Canada, the duration of which must amount to at least 10 quarter hours or six semester hours, you are all set in terms of your pre-licensing education. Similarly, a course in property, agency, or contracts from an accredited U.S. or Canadian school of law is also accepted.

If you believe your college, university, or school of law degree may comply with the option above but are unsure, you can send in your official transcripts with the application for the examination to Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) and they will tell you whether your degree is acceptable or not.

The final option qualifies you to take your real estate exam if you have already completed a 75-hour pre-licensing course approved by a real estate regulatory authority of a different US state or even any province of Canada. If you go for this option, you will be expected to submit a letter of verification from the regulatory authority stating its approval of the course, along with your application.

If you meet these requirements, you are qualified to take your real estate exam. You can obtain your real estate agents’ license once you pass the exam. Remember though, that once you have obtained your license, you are required to complete a 25-hour salesperson post-license course within the first year of obtaining your license. If you do comply with this requirement, your license will lapse.

How Much Do Real Estate Agents in Georgia Make?

While different sources cite different figures, most confirm that typically, a real estate agent’s salary in Georgia ranges between $37,931 and $49,388. While what you earn as a real estate agent is significantly dependent on the location of your operations, the salary satisfies the national average of $41,163 for the same profession.

While the salaries can average in the $40,000 range in cities like Atlanta, Athens, and Buford, these numbers can fall to the mid-$30,000 range in locations like Buena Vista, Armuchee, and Ashburn.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Georgia?

Assuming that you are able to satisfy all the basic qualification requirements, the following steps will guide you in your journey to becoming a real estate agent in Georgia.

Take a Pre-license Course

Before you operate in the state, it is important that you have complete knowledge of how the industry works, the laws of the land, and the different industry-relevant practices. This is exactly what a pre-license course teaches.

The 75-hour course would cover the industry fundamentals specific to Georgia, real estate Math, and also teach its students client-focused communication skills.

Designed by the best, this comprehensive course will not only prepare you for the real estate exam but will also teach you the essential skills required in the field.

Prepare for Georgia License Exam

It is really important that you prepare well for your license exam. Aside from the fact that your performance in the exam will be essential to your career as a real estate agent, there is also a cost factor involved. The examination fee, along with the amount you would pay for your pre-license course, as well as other payments you would make at different stages of the process, can all be in vain if you do not prepare well and pass your exam.

Your pre-license course can help you immensely in acing your exams. And if you still feel the need for more preparation, you can always take an exam-specific preparatory course to improve your chances.

Pass the Georgia License Exam

Once you are confident with your preparation, you can register for the final examination with AMP. You will be required to pay $115 at this stage and would need to take your Lawful Presence Notarized Affidavit, as well as a state-issued photo ID with you on the day of the exam.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you must apply for your license within 12 months or else you would have to reappear in the exam.

Find a Reputable Georgia Real Estate Brokerage

Once you have received your license, it is important to find and associate yourself with a reputable real estate brokerage. This is important because real estate agents cannot operate as an independent agency. You can always apply for a brokerage license after some time if you decide to operate independently in the market.

Preparing for Real Estate Agent Licensing Exam in Georgia

While the regulations in the Georgian real estate market are high, the rewards are plenty if you pass through all of them. The two most important aspects of the entire process are the pre-license course and the final exam.

If you make the right choice when selecting a tutor that is not only state-approved but has a good reputation, and work hard on your pre-license course, there is a good chance you won’t need more than one sitting to pass your Georgia real estate salesperson exam.

]]>https://www.360training.com/blog/how-to-become-real-estate-agent-in-georgia/feed/0Top Benefits of eLearning For Businesseshttps://www.360training.com/blog/benefits-of-elearning/
https://www.360training.com/blog/benefits-of-elearning/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 14:30:39 +0000https://www.360training.com/blog/?p=26683Technology plays a significant role on how businesses may rise and fall in today’s market. We’re at a point where it’s a norm for companies to choose digital over traditional marketing. There’s a pressure to adapt, which is why it’s not uncommon to see conventional marketing mediums get phased out in favor of social media [&hellip

]]>Technology plays a significant role on how businesses may rise and fall in today’s market. We’re at a point where it’s a norm for companies to choose digital over traditional marketing. There’s a pressure to adapt, which is why it’s not uncommon to see conventional marketing mediums get phased out in favor of social media and email.

Similarly, traditional methods of education and employee training are also being replaced by eLearning. Inaccurately presumed as costly and complicated, eLearning has emerged as the lead teaching method businesses use to train their employees.

The advent of SaaS (Software as a Service) model providers, such as Microsoft Azure, has enabled companies to deploy eLearning without worrying about the investment required to create the software base.

The benefits of eLearning far outweigh that of traditional methods. Here’s a look at some of the advantages companies can gain if they make a timely switch to eLearning.

Reduced Costs

One of the most significant advantages of eLearning is that it drastically reduces costs for the companies that implement it.

Corporations now report that e-Learning is amongst the top two training methods that they use. They have discovered that e-Learning saves businesses at least 50% when it replaces traditional instructor-based training. Not mentioning the fact that e-Learning cuts down instruction time by 60%.

eLearning takes away the need for printed training material, as well as on-site facilitators, bridging the gap between the course and students effectively.

Although initial costs are relatively high, when compared with the upkeep costs stretched over a period, the online training platform handily wins against the traditional methods.

Maintain Updates with Convenience

eLearning simplifies the process of maintaining updates as compared to that of traditional methods.

LMS systems help update your manuals and guides by simply adding new courses to the existing manual files and communicating the changes to the staff instead of having to rewrite the entire manual and pay additional printing costs.

This is particularly useful in the case of government approved changes in existing laws or information about new products and services. By mandating that the staff goes through the material before logging in, you ensure that your company is always one step ahead of the competition.

Boosts Productivity

In sharp contrast to traditional styles, eLearning makes use of a variety of mediums such as text, videos as well as animation to enhance employee learning.

Case studies prove it. According to an IBM white paper, eLearning technology increases employee engagement by 19%. A 2018 LinkedIn bulletin also identified that 58% of employees prefer to learn at their own pace, while 64% are eager to learn while at work – eLearning allows companies to provide both.

Engaged employees are better learners and more productive. Trained, knowledgeable and educated employees not only elevate themselves but elevate their co-workers and the organization as a whole.

Increase Employee Retention

One of the biggest problems companies face, especially small and medium-sized businesses, is employee turnover. In a saturated global market, keeping hold of valuable and trained employees is one of the biggest challenges that a business faces.

E-learning helps reduce the employee turnover rate by giving employees access to round the clock informational and educational material that further boosts their professional caliber.

Engaging, educational and professional course material not only increases an employee’s on the job performance but adds to their quality of life in general, which helps foster feelings of loyalty and prosperity towards the organization.

Has Measurable Impact

One of the biggest comparative advantages eLearning enjoys over the traditional method of training employees is the fact that eLearning can be measured.

eLearning’s influence on your business can be tracked all the way to the bottom line of your company, with base metrics that can determine how well trained the employees are.

You can keep track of employee training by seeing how many employees complete the course, the time it takes to finish a course or through quiz scores for questionnaires filled after the course.

However, the actual impact is much greater than these basic metrics ­– the real impact is that on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Assess the figures and related metrics you had before integrating eLearning and revisit them after full integration. Improvement, or lack thereof, in the related parameters can directly point out the effect eLearning has had on your business.

As far as case studies, industry examples, and reports are concerned, there are plenty of reasons for business owners to be optimistic. With eLearning, you have an opportunity to address one of the primary reason why workers leave their job, which is lack of support and training. Furthermore, you’re also helping them deal with the biggest excuse that can hold back personal growth and improvement, which is not having the time and place for continuous education.